Have you ever heard of MOPS?
MOPS is an organization for “Mothers of Preschoolers.” It is a support system for neighborhood moms, fostering community and meaningful conversation and a little bit of time alone during years where – let’s face it – you really need it. I was invited when I met a friend of a friend at the library. Her son and my son are days apart in age, and after my first meeting, I knew it was some place I wanted to stay. There is nothing like a community of moms coming together, talking each other through the hard stuff (sleepless nights, behavior issues in children, relationship matter…). You realize, while eating a plate of breakfast (with no tiny hands stealing your food), that you are HARDLY alone in your struggles, and even if you don’t get solutions, you have an empathetic ear. I think Moms groups are so important, particularly in early motherhood, where you can feel so isolated.
I met this Mama at MOPS. She is a military wife, and I have learned that many Military wives search for MOPS groups just so that they can find friends and community quickly, particularly because they move around quite a bit. Sadly, her family is nearing the end of their stay in Charleston. That doesn’t mean they won’t return someday, though! Fun fact: Charleston is where she and her husband had their engagement photos done! Naturally, we revisited some of the old locations now that their family has grown a bit. Downtown nev
er disappoints, and her sweet, funny children were fun to photograph.
Here are just a handful from their session: